Let Your Personality Shine Through

Your home is a reflection of you and your family. From paint colors to the pictures on the wall, each space tells a different story. And with renovation comes an opportunity for increased personalization – to create a space that reflects your style and complements your lifestyle.

But creating a design that’s a true reflection of your lifestyle can be a daunting, intimidating task. For those that need some assistances we’ve created this three step process for creating a design that is uniquely you.

Let’s begin by getting inspired.

Step 1: Finding Inspiration

Whether it’s for your kitchen, bathroom, or another room in your home, the design of your cabinetry extends beyond basic functionality. The aesthetics – how your room will look and feel – can help create a space of recovery and regeneration, a place of respite after a hectic day. Maybe you feel most comfortable surrounding yourself in rich, warm colors. Perhaps crisp, clean minimalism brings inner calm. To begin the discovery process, just look around you at these sources of inspiration:

• Wardrobe – Fashion and design are closely linked. Peruse your closet; clothing is a clear reflection of our taste and personality. Maybe the fabric from a dress, scarf, or pair of pants you love to wear will spark your creativity. There is such thing as tuxedo kitchens, which of course are designed to look and feel like the tailored, black and white garments which inspired them.
• Travels – Some of our happiest moments are experienced when travelling. Mementos of our travels help us recapture that feeling of contentment and adventure. Perhaps a piece of Mexican pottery or an African mask will be a place to begin. Something as simple as a piece of beach glass or the color of a shell could be a springboard for planning.
• Hobbies – Maybe you love to bake or are a connoisseur of French cuisine. Are classic cars your passion? Any and all hobbies evoke images of textures, colors, and styles. For example, if you are an avid gardener or nature-lover, perhaps you would like to bring the outdoors in. Selecting wooden cabinetry and other natural materials, along with textured elements, and soft greens or watery blues might appeal to you.
• Collections – Maybe you have objects that are special to you. There might be a painting with colors that are particularly pleasing, a sculpture or an artifact that inspires you, or nostalgic china. Any of these can act as a starting point.
• Architecture – You may wish to take into consideration your home’s style when deciding what your new space will look like. Perhaps you live in a Craftsman-era bungalow or a Colonial style residence. Harmonizing the interior design with your home’s architecture will help maintain its stylistic integrity.

Step 2: Recognizing Popular Styles

The second step to creating your customized design is being able to identify and describe some of the most prominent styles.

Contemporary

• Straight lines and clean angles; gentle waves or arcs are used sparingly to add interest.
• Smooth, flat unadorned surfaces.
• Simple shapes and styles.
• Neutral color palate sometimes punctuated with bold color.
• Slab doors used for their simplicity.
• Cabinet doors made of wood, painted materials, laminate, thermofoil, or frosted glass and aluminum.
• No crown or light valance moldings, as a rule.

Traditional

• Surfaces are smooth, like fine furniture.
• Rounded design elements challenge clean lines.
• Color palette can be rich and warm or fresh and clean; both evoke comfort and elegance.
• Flat panel or raised panel door styles are used to add character to a traditional space.
• Arched profiling in doors is also appropriate.
• Cabinet doors are made of wood and painted materials.
• Clear or specialty glass doors used to highlight the space.
• Decorative finishes such as chalking, glazing, and hand-rubbing are common.
• More adornment – achieved through stacking layers of crown molding, adding light valance molding to the underside of wall cabinets, and employing carved elements such as corbels and appliques to add richness and interest.

Transitional

• A blend of traditional and contemporary features create a diverse, yet balanced space.
• Rounded profiles juxtaposed with clean lines.
• Textured and smooth surfaces unite.
• Varied color palette options to evoke comfort, simplicity, and sophistication.
• Slab and flat panel door styles used on their own or together to create visual interest.
• Any door material fits; wood, painted material, laminate, thermofoil, or metal all welcome here.
• Crown used if one wishes, but kept simple.

Modern Country

• Blending the comfort of traditional style with contemporary trends.
• Clean lines and simple shapes are punctuated by natural or aged elements.
• Smooth surfaces are married with texture throughout the space.
• Natural materials such as stone, aged elements and wood lend comfort.
• Angular hardware, geometric patterns and reclaimed materials also have a place within a modern country style.
• Earthy neutrals, off whites, and warm greys are highlighted by subdued pops of color.
• Flat panel cabinetry doors are usually favored but slab doors can also find a home in Modern Country design.
• Door materials often selected are wood and painted materials; decorative finishes such as chalking, glazing, or hand-rubbing used with restraint.

Luxe

• Luxury is the central concept – glamor, sparkle and drama.
• High contrast space, achieved through colors and textures or elegantly monochromatic white space punctuated with shiny metals and crystal.
• Art Deco pieces are at home here.
• Shiny and matte finishes marry.
• In-your-face style statement; bold and dramatic pieces.
• Flat panel, raised panel, and slab doors all can be used successfully.
• Door materials range from wood and painted to laminate and thermofoil.
• Clear glass doors allow luxurious personal treasures to be displayed.

Global

• Inspiration comes from colors, patterns, and styles of the world.
• Can be a blend of many cultures to create a well-traveled feel.
• From the delicate fabrics of India to Mexico’s painted pottery, the mosaics of Italy to the lacquered furniture pieces of Asia, French Baroque extravagance to the colours and textures of a Turkish rug, creativity is abundant.
• Color palettes based on complementing collections of artwork and special pieces, or selecting hues that convey a particular country’s personality.
• Appropriate door styles and finishes range according to the chosen look.

Step 3: Making The Most of Nearby Tools

Technology and home and garden media are additional sources of rich information that can help you better define your unique style. Help is as close as a click of a button or flip of a page. Nothing, however replaces the personalized service of a design professional.

• Magazines and Home and Garden Television Programs – Supermarkets, bookstores, and libraries have a wealth of fine magazines which boast both the classic cabinetry designs and the latest trends. Delight your senses by flipping through a few. Likewise, the latest and greatest in cabinetry design can be seen on home and garden shows.
• Our website – We have designed this website to assist you in your journey towards a new space. We hope you gain clarity from the information, and inspiration from the gallery of beautifully planned rooms.